The atmosphere had turned grim, yet Ryuichi still felt a quiet confidence burning inside him.
By now, Rias should have already reported everything to the Maou — Lucifer and Leviathan both. Whatever trick Kokabiel was plotting, as long as the two Maou were on alert, they wouldn't fall for it.
That meant Ryuichi and the others only had one task — hold him off.
And if that was all they needed to do, Ryuichi was confident. His Sacred Gear was built perfectly for drawn-out fights.
Moments like this proved one thing — having powerful allies backing you up was a blessing.
Sona Shitori turned to him, her usually calm expression serious. Though they hadn't interacted much beyond school, she'd seen his performance in the last Rating Game. She knew he wasn't an ordinary Devil.
"This time, you might be the key to everything," she said evenly, meeting his eyes.
Apparently, she regarded him quite highly.
"President Sona, you flatter me," Ryuichi replied with measured composure.
At his side, Rias gave a faint, proud smile. After all, Ryuichi was her servant. Every bit of credit he earned reflected glory on her as his King. That was something no one else could take away.
Then, in the next instant —
Everyone froze.
A suffocating pressure washed over them, heavy and overwhelming. The air thickened until breathing itself became an effort. Hearts pounded slower, bodies tensed instinctively, and a cold dread crept up their spines.
Slowly, every gaze turned upward.
At some point, the sky had darkened. The light had faded, twisted, folding over itself as though nighttime had been forced upon the world. A pale moon shimmered high above — and before it hovered a man's silhouette.
He didn't need to move. His very presence pressed down on them like invisible weight.
A Fallen Angel.
Ten black wings spread out behind him — five pairs in total.
A Ten-Winged Fallen Angel.
He was young in appearance, dressed in ornate robes of deep purple and gold, radiating mocking arrogance as he looked down at them, the corner of his lips twitching upward into a cruel smile.
"So we finally meet, daughter of Gremory." His voice carried effortlessly through the night, smooth yet venomous. "That fiery red hair of yours— it reminds me of your obnoxious brother. How utterly revolting."
He didn't even glance at the others. To him, they were nothing.
"The Fallen Angel Cadre... Kokabiel," Rias murmured coldly, eyes narrowing.
"Remember my name," she replied with icy pride. "Rias Gremory."
She loathed being referred to as "the daughter of Gremory." Titles meant nothing when she stood on her own two feet.
"I suppose I should make something clear while we're at it," she continued, her tone firm. "My family's ties to the Maou are both close and distant. If you've come here thinking to use me for political negotiations, you'll be disappointed."
Kokabiel gave a derisive laugh, blatant scorn in his expression.
"Negotiate with the Maou? I don't waste my time with such stupidity." His grin widened into something disturbing. "But—if I kill one of their sisters after having my fun with her... wouldn't that make things interesting? Imagine Lucifer's face when he loses his precious little sister."
His words dripped filth. True to his kind, Fallen Angels never hid their most corrupt desires.
Ryuichi said nothing, only watching him quietly — eyes sharpened, jaw tight.
If he had the strength, he would've cut this bastard down where he stood. But now wasn't the time. He wasn't strong enough. Not yet.
Rias, however, did not flinch. Her crimson hair danced faintly in the wind as she stared back with regal disdain.
"You've said enough," she snapped. "State your purpose. I've lost patience for games."
Kokabiel's grin grew wider. "Simple. I'm planning to turn Kuoh Academy into the stage for a grand fight. Cause enough chaos here, and Sirzechs will have no choice but to show himself."
His voice was tinged with mania — as if he were eager for chaos.
"You can't be serious," Rias hissed. "Do you want to restart the war between Devils and Fallen Angels?!"
But Kokabiel burst out laughing, head thrown back in wild amusement. "Hah-hah-hah-hah! That's exactly what I want!"
His expression twisted, hysteria gleaming in his eyes.
"When I stole the Excalibur fragments, I hoped Michael would declare war. But instead? He sent a bunch of worthless pawns to die. How boring! So yes — I'll destroy this town, summon Lucifer and Leviathan, and plunge the world into another glorious war!"
Everyone was stunned into silence.
Ryuichi tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the young-looking Fallen Angel hovering above them.
Physically young, maybe. But his aura—his existence—was ancient. A creature mentioned in the Scriptures themselves.
He really is insane, Ryuichi realized, exhaling softly.
Rias's teeth clenched. "You damn war maniac," she spat, fury breaking through her composed facade. She hadn't expected this — that Kokabiel's entire purpose would be to provoke war simply for the thrill of it.
Her anger only made him more delighted.
"Ahahaha! You're right, little Gremory! That's exactly what I am!" Kokabiel roared with mad laughter. "After the Three Faction War ended, everything became so... dull. Why stop fighting? Isn't endless battle so much more exciting?"
"...What a lunatic," Akeno whispered beside Ryuichi, her voice low and serious.
Ryuichi nodded faintly, lips pressed in a tired line. This guy's completely gone. What a deranged piece of work.
He leaned slightly toward her, murmuring, "Akeno, find a chance to report all of this directly to the Maou."
She gave a small nod in understanding.
Kokabiel's intent was clear — to force Lucifer's hand. It was a trap packaged as a challenge, forcing the Maou to intervene, just as Kokabiel wanted.
That meant he was confident he could survive a Maou's wrath. He definitely had something hidden — a trump card powerful enough to make him arrogant.
Still, Ryuichi was sure that as long as Sirzechs knew the situation, the Maou would find a way to end this maniac for good.
That thought cooled the fire in his chest.
All they needed to do now was buy time — protect everyone until the Maou arrived.
But just as that resolve settled in his mind, a violent surge of energy erupted from the direction of Kuoh Academy. The ground shook, and a shimmering pillar of light speared into the sky, tearing through the distorted night like a blade.
The air itself shuddered.
"...A Holy Sword," Rias breathed, meeting Sona's eyes with alarm.
Both girls immediately understood that something was very wrong.
Kokabiel's laughter echoed through the blackened sky. "Hah! So Valper's little research project finally bore fruit. Honestly, I doubted that idiot at first, but it looks like he pulled it off. Impressive... truly impressive."
With a smirk, his figure vanished, the oppressive presence leaving the area as he shot toward the school.
Rias's face hardened. "Everyone, move! We're going to Kuoh Academy!"
Without further hesitation, the group ignited their teleportation circles, vanishing in flashes of crimson and violet.
The battle against Kokabiel had begun.